Billy Goldfeder's Comments

Thanks for the talk today Chief. See you saturday!

We are making progress. We will never eliminate LODD's, reduce a little, possibly, but never eliminate. Some are tragic but neccessary LODD's but most are predictable and avoidable-at the local level. It has to be local. The chief laying down the policy, the training and then enforcing it...risk mgmt, stuff like that. Not tough-but tough to change due to a variety of factors.
The issue is changing some behaviors and that is happening-look at your own FD and compare it to 10 years ago-there are indicators and cange is happening in most places-but its slow. Keep in mind-we have 100 or so LODD's annually and 1.1 firefighters. Tough number to change too drastically with 50% medical, 30% driving etc.
I think we have been successful in getting most in our business to just think a bit. I think thats OK considering what we are trying to impact.
Thanks for the comments.
Take care,
BillyG
ps-Bobby, I am not all right, I am generally right :-) XOXOXO

Thanks Chief -
Listened to your talk with Bobby the other day and I guess I've been following your advice before I heard it.
This is my 4th department and I still find I have to fight the fight and to bring up the issues that are causing us so many injuries or deaths., Hoping to find folks who actually want to hear it. Keep at it
Thanks Tim

Absolutely! Thats great-we will seeya there as well!
Billy G

You are very kind and I sincerely appreciate your comments and your time to write. Drop me an e-mail at chgold151@aol.com - I am sure we can get together when I am out there and tell a little truth about fire stuff and more about my family and new Grandson!
:-)
Thanks Bro!
Billy

Chief, first of all thank you for being the catalyst for change that's so often needed. Second, we can't wait to hear your presentation here in Olympia, Wa. It would be our pleasure if the local FOOLS chapter could trade food, beverages and brotherhood for some of your insight and experiences. I know your likely to be a very busy man while in town but it would be our pleasure Chief.

Hey Mindy,
You are very kind. There are many outstanding folks out there we can all learn from...be sure to read, watch videos etc of folks like Rick Lasky, Bobby Halton, John Salka, Mike Wilbur, Dave Dodson, Vinny Dunn, John Norman, the Seattle Boys (managing your air)...and many, many more. Be sure to also consider attending FDIC this Spring-TRUST ME...that it will absolutely matter and really charge up your batteries-not to mention so many learning opportunities for ALL of us.
Anyway-thanks Mandy, I really do appreciate you kindness-if I can be of any assistance, I am always glad to help anyone on this job-especially the young ones (the old ones-me included, border on hopeless at times..HA!)
Thanks pal-seeya soon,
BillyG
e-mail chgold151ataoldotcom
chgold151@aol.com

DC Goldfeder, I went to see you speak in Urbandale, IA. Since then, I have frequented your website and I am on the secret list. You are the most influential Deputy Chief for me at this time in my career. Thank you.

Thanks Chief,
I sometimes forget the real thing behind us all>>>life, family, then firefighting. And all of those facts are poping up everyday.
Thanks
Dan

Thanks Bro-BAD crash this evening on 71 SB at the bridge-you working? I was in Burlington KY to do a class and saw it on the way back-aircare etc on scene.

I am tied up this morning-but will get back to you as soon as I get a chance. In a nutshell...it's pretty normal for anyone to feel that it won't happen to them-cause' it hasn't. And the more we do something "not so right" the more it becomes" right....so....
=Keep the current serious injury and LODD news events in their faces. Post',, forward them, whatever is out there-make sure they see it.
=Give'm a reason to operate a little smarter-while "we" feel we won't get hurt or can take extreme risks (and sometimes we should and have to), we need to understand what happens to our families etc if we do something foolish-something unneccesary such as the seta belt issue, the no PPE, breathing crap, walking in a structure that was fully predictable to collapse, drive like a lunatic etc etc.
If the reason isn't us-maybe the reason will kick in when they look at their kids pics etc.
Thats a start I guess. WIll write more later or contact me at chgold151@aol.com
Thanks Dan,
Billy

Chief,
I"m in a combination department and I'm facing challenges of converting "Old School minds" to new training ideas and techniques. The bad thing is I have been around the fire service since I was born and was taught from my father's ways as I grew up since I was 5 years old, so I understand why they think change is such a burden,but I also adapt and apply the change. However, the understanding of "safety" still does not sink into to their heads. I understand they don't. How do you make it work and Stick?

Dan
AC of Training
Grinnell, IA Fire

HAHA! Thanks-no fear involved-it sometimes comes natural for alotta things we see-and even many times things that I personally do! For example, going to a condo fire last night, reported fire showing... and figuring to myself, "Why read the MAP BOOK-I know right where I am going!"...and of course, because I didnt and THOUGHT I knew where I was going, I ended up something like 400th due...where I would have been 1st due.
WTF!!!
Take care and THANKS!
Billy

Chief,

Thanks for all you do in the name of Firefighter Safety and for not being scared to say WTF!!!

KTF Brother RFB

Thanks David! I need to buy you some new videos for Christmas!! Seriously-thanks. Will be on the FASNY convention program next summer if I recall....it is in Niagara Falls. Again-Thanks!

Chief Billy G it is good to hear from you. I am saving you a place in the drum line next year for the symposium. I will get you the dates. Be safe talk to you soon.

Thanks BG....and thanks for all you do. FFCC.com makes a huge difference and creates such an amazing forum for compelling discusion.

Thanks so much Scott....with all that is going on-ALL OF US from FDIC and Fire Engineering on this Board and the Fire Service in general REMEMBER what you and others are doing for us-and how others have given their lives.
Take care-be safe and we'll seeya soon!
Billy

Hey Billy,

Today we celebrate our Country's independence. I have never been prouder to serve in the military and fire service than I am on the 4th of July, every single year! I want to thank YOU for all YOU have done to bring the tremendous pride, tradition and excellence to our Nation as well as the rest of the world.

Gos Bless you , the fire service and the USA!

Scott